There have been expressions of concern about the progress of Avian Influenza (H5N1) from Eastern Asia to Europe in recent months.
A parrot has famously died in quarantine in Britain. Though the progress has been slowed by preventive measures, it could lie dormant through the winter and suddenly affect us in the coming year. Migratory waterfowl are the natural reservoir for the virus, but domestic poultry are especially susceptible to epidemics. It can be transmitted between farms by mechanical means. Stringent sanitary measures can reduce the risk of infection.
Concerns are not only of it affecting our poultry, but the possibility of it crossing the genetic barrier and affecting humans. This is effected by a mixing and reassortment of genes (‘antigenetic shift’) in the host. In this situation, there can be a genetic exchange between the avian and human influenza viruses, making the avian form more accessible to humans.
